Device for Drying Garments and Equipment

ABSTRACT

Multipurpose, expandable device for drying garments and equipment is disclosed. The drying device of the present invention holds garments open to increase air flow inside and outside, with the optional air fan further accelerating the time to dry. The drying device can be used for multiple shapes and sizes of clothing, as well as certain equipment and shoes. The drying device is expandable, while still taking up minimal space. The drying device is easy to disassemble into a compact unit to can be easily transported for when travelling or not in use. All of which eliminates the need for running a small load through a drying machine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/145,743, entitled “Multipurpose, expandable system for drying garments and equipment”, filed on 10 Apr. 2015. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to drying device of the present inventions. More specifically, the present invention relates to drying device of the present inventions for garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drying wet garments effectively either requires a drying machine, or a long time to air dry. Both solutions are limiting when you have a small load, cannot access a drying machine, or have limited time for air drying. When garments are not dried thoroughly, moisture, odor, and bacteria can grow and build up, leading to infection, odor, and having to replace the item.

Hangers are very thin, which allows the sides of a garment to collapse and stick to each other when wet. This delays air drying. Standing drying racks are large and bulky and often still require clothes to lie flat, but with both sides touching each other. Lastly a drying machine is not energy efficient for smaller loads, and not easily accessible when travelling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The drying device of the present invention holds garments open to increase air flow inside and outside, with an optional air fan further accelerating the time to dry. The drying device of the present invention can be used for multiple shapes and sizes of clothing, as well as certain equipment and shoes. The drying device of the present invention is expandable, while still taking up minimal space. The drying device of the present invention is easy to disassemble into a compact unit which can be easily transported for when travelling or not in use. All of which eliminates the need for running a small load through a drying machine.

The drying device allows users to dry a few garments effectively, due to the shape and structure that holds items open to allow for better air flow, with the option to include a fan to further circulate air inside the garment. It is expandable to accommodate multiple garments of various shapes and sizes. It can be disassembled into a small and light unit for easy transport and use when travelling.

The drying device of the present invention differs from what currently exists in the prior art. Current hangers are designed to hang fully dry garments, they do not have any design features to aid in speedy air drying. The few devices that are intended for drying sports equipment are very large and bulky and not transportable. The drying device of the present invention solves both problems of accelerating air drying and being portable at the same time.

TABLE OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES 1. First Shoulder 2. Second Shoulder 3. Vertical Support/Rod 4. First Hook 5. Second Hook 6. Fan 7. Top of the Vertical Support 8. Bottom of the Vertical Support 9. Pass Through Hole 10. First Smaller Hook 11. Second Smaller Hook 12. Open Holes on Shoulder 13. Bottom Piece/Base 14. First Smaller Hook Cap 15. Second Smaller Hook Cap 16. Second Vertical Support/Rod 17. Third Hook

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a planar view of the top of a shoulder component of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top of a shoulder component of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top hook with male threads of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom hook with female threads of one embodiment of the drying device of the present invention.

FIGS. 9-10 are perspective views of a fan embodiment of the present invention, where the fan connects to the bottom hook.

FIG. 11 is an expanded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising additional smaller hooks attached to the shoulders.

FIG. 12 is an expanded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising an additional vertical support/rod connected to a base so the present invention can be stood on any flat surface.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the drying device of the present invention where a third shoulder is connected to a second vertical support/rod for longer garments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Drying wet garments effectively either requires a drying machine, or a long time to air dry. Both solutions are limiting when you have a small load, cannot access a drying machine, or have limited time for air drying. When garments are not dried thoroughly, moisture, odor, and bacteria can grow and build up, leading to infection, odor, and having to replace the item. The drying device of the present invention claimed here solves this problem.

The drying device of the present invention is an improvement on what currently exists. Current hangers are designed to hang fully dry garments, they do not have any design features to aid in speedy air drying. The few devices that are intended for drying sports equipment are very large and bulky and not transportable. The drying device of the present invention solves both problems of accelerating air drying and being portable at the same time.

None of these means of drying garments and equipment aids in drying small loads quickly, in multiple situations.

The drying device of the present invention holds garments open to increase air flow inside and outside, with the optional air fan further accelerating the time to dry. The drying device of the present invention can be used for multiple shapes and sizes of clothing, as well as certain equipment and shoes. The drying device of the present invention is expandable, while still taking up minimal space. The drying device of the present invention is easy to disassemble into a compact unit which can be easily transported for when travelling or not in use. All of which eliminates the need for running a small load through a drying machine.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the drying device or apparatus of the present invention. Now referring to the Figures, the embodiment of the drying device is illustrated. The drying device consists of a pair of shoulders 1 & 2, a vertical support 3, and a pair of hooks 4 & 5 positioned at the opposing ends of the vertical support 3. In an alternative embodiment, a fan 6 can be hung from a hook 5 or connected to one end of the vertical support 3.

A first hook 4 screws into the top 7 of the vertical support 3, with the top shoulder 1 securely held between the top hook 4 and vertical support 3. The bottom 8 of the vertical support 3 screws into an upside down or second hook 5, with another second shoulder 2 in between the bottom hook 5 and the bottom 8 of the vertical support 3. The fan 6, when added, is either screwed into the bottom 8 of the vertical support 3 instead of the bottom, second hook 5 or it is hung on the bottom, second hook 5.

The top, first hook 4 allows the device to be hung from any standard rod or large hook. The top shoulder 1 allows the garment or equipment to drape over the edges. The width of the shoulder pieces 1 & 2 keeps the sides of the garment from sticking together when wet, allowing for air to circulate inside the garment and reach all sides. The vertical support/rod 3 provides spacing and rigidity for the bottom shoulder 2. The bottom shoulder 2 serves two purposes: it can serve to help keep the front and back of a garment open and separate if the garment is long, OR it can be used for a second garment to be similarly dried while taking up no additional horizontal space. The hook 5 at the bottom keeps the bottom shoulder 2 connected to the vertical support 3, and can also be used to hang additional items. If the fan 6 is used instead of the bottom hook 5, the fan 6 forces even more air flow inside the garment, further speeding the air drying time. When all of the pieces are assembled together, a single garment or several garments and pieces of equipment (example: gloves, socks, shoes, sports pads) can all be hung on the drying device of the present invention to air dry quickly and thoroughly.

In practice, the user needs to first assemble the hanging device from its components parts. By holding the vertical support 3, a user can add the top shoulder 1 with rounded side facing the top. The top 7 of the vertical rod 3 is inserted into the pass through hole 9 in the center of the shoulder 1. The top hook 4 screws into the top 7 of the vertical rod 3 until all three pieces are tightly held together. The bottom shoulder 2 is added, also with the rounded side facing up so that the bottom 8 of the vertical rod 3 is inserted through the pass through hole 9 in the middle of the bottom shoulder 2 part. The bottom hook 5, or the optional fan attachment 6, is screwed upside down into the bottom 8 of the vertical rod 3.

The garment that needs to be dried should then be hung over the top shoulder 1. If the bottom sides of the garment are long enough that they touch each other, the bottom shoulder 2 and bottom hook 5 or optional fan 6 should be included to ensure the garment stays fully open. The entire device is then hung on a rod, such as in a closet, and allowed to air dry.

All of the parts are made by injection molding. The parts are made of plastic abs/hips blend. The optional fan 6 is purchased with an adapter to allow it to screw on to the bottom of the vertical support 3. The fan requires AA batteries to run.

The top hook 4, top shoulder 1, and vertical support 3 are necessary for the most basic structure of the device. A second shoulder 2 and the bottom hook 1 are optional to provide greater structure at the bottom of a longer garment to keep it open, and for hanging additional garments. The fan 6 is optional since the design of the device already allows for greater air flow and drying speed.

In addition to the parts described, the device could also accommodate smaller hooks 10 & 11 that could hang from the open holes 12 of the shoulders 1 & 2 to hang multiple lighter weight items as shown In FIG. 11. The smaller hooks 10 & 11 each have male threaded end for insertion through any of the plurality of shoulder holes 12. Once a small hook 10 & 11 is inserted through a shoulder hole 12 a corresponding cap 14 & 15 which has female threads is threaded to the hook securing the hook in place on the shoulder.

Now referring to FIG. 12, in yet another alternative embodiment, the device could also be made with a different bottom piece or base 13, which would allow the entire device to stand on the floor, rather than hanging from a rod. In this embodiment, the bottom hook 5 would be replaced by a second vertical support/rod 16, identical to that of the first vertical support/rod in that one end has female threads and the opposing end has male threads for securing the parts together. In this embodiment, the female threaded end of the second vertical support/rod 16 is secured to the male threaded end of the first vertical support/rod 3 securing shoulder 2 in between. Then the male end of the second vertical support/rod 16 is secured to the base, which has a female threaded portion in its center to secure the base 13 to the second vertical support/rod 16.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the base 13, could be replaced with a third shoulder 17 secured to the device by a second hook 5 threaded on to the second vertical support/rod 16.

Rather than having the hooks 4 & 5 and vertical support 3 run through the center of the device, the pass through hole could be moved to the outer edge of the shoulders 1 and 2 and another hole added to the other outer edge of the shoulders 1 & 2. The device would then hang from two hooks. This configuration would provide additional stability and strength to the device for heavier items. This would also allow for two optional fans 6 at the bottom for even more air flow.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A device consisting of the following parts in combination: a vertical support; a first hook; a first shoulder; the vertical support connected to the first shoulders and first hook on a first end.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second hook; and a second shoulder; the vertical support connected to the second shoulder and second hook on an opposing second end.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the vertical support rod has a female thread on a first end; the first shoulder has a pass through hole; the first hook has a male threaded end; and the hook and vertical support are threaded together with the threads passing through a shoulder pass through hole, securing the shoulder in place between the vertical support and hook.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the vertical support rod has a female thread on a first end and a male thread on the second opposing end; the shoulders have a pass through hole; the first hook has a male threaded end; the second hook has a female threaded end; and the hooks and vertical support are threaded together with the threads passing through the shoulders pass through hole, securing the shoulders in place between the vertical support and hooks.
 5. The device of claim 2, further comprising a fan hung from the bottom hook.
 6. The device of claim 4, a fan; the fan is comprised of female threads and is connected to the second, opposing end of the vertical support with a male thread of corresponding size.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the top, first hook allows the device to be hung from any standard rod or large hook; the top shoulder allows the garment or equipment to drape over the edges.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein the top, first hook allows the device to be hung from any standard rod or large hook; the top shoulder allows the garment or equipment to drape over the edges; and the width of the shoulder pieces keeps the sides of the garment from sticking together when wet, allowing for air to circulate inside the garment and reach all sides.
 9. The device of claim 2, wherein the vertical support provides spacing and rigidity for the bottom shoulder; the bottom shoulder serves two purposes: it can serve to help keep the front and back of a garment open and separate if the garment is long, OR it can be used for a second garment to be similarly dried while taking up no additional horizontal space.
 10. The device of claim 2, wherein the bottom hook keeps the bottom shoulder connected to the vertical support; and can also be used to hang additional items.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vertical support rods; the vertical support rods have a female thread on a first end; the vertical support rods have a male thread on a second, opposing end; the first shoulder has a pass through hole; the first hook has a male threaded end; and the first hook and first vertical support are threaded together with the threads passing through a first shoulder pass through hole, securing the first shoulder in place between the first vertical support and first hook; a second shoulder having a pass through hole; a second vertical support rod threaded to the first vertical support rod; the second vertical support rod and first vertical support are threaded together with the threads passing through a second shoulder pass through hole, securing the second shoulder in place between the first vertical support and second vertical support; and repeating the number of shoulders and vertical supports for any plurality of shoulders and vertical supports threaded together.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein a rounded shoulder is oriented with the rounded side facing up.
 13. The device of claim 2, wherein rounded shoulders are oriented with the rounded side facing up.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein all of the parts are made by injection molding; and the parts are made of plastic an abs/hips blend.
 15. The device of claim 2, wherein all of the parts are made by injection molding; and the parts are made of plastic an abs/hips blend.
 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more smaller hooks hanging from the open holes of the shoulder.
 17. The device of claim 2, wherein one or more smaller hooks hanging from the open holes of the shoulders.
 18. The device of claim 1, further comprising a bottom piece or base, which allows the entire device to stand on the floor, rather than hanging from a rod; and the base is comprised of female threads and is connected to the second, opposing end of the vertical support with a male thread of corresponding size.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein rather than having the hooks and vertical support run through the center of the device, the first pass through hole is moved to the outer edge of the shoulder; and another, second pass through holes is added to the opposing other outer edge of the shoulder; each pass through holes has a corresponding vertical support and hooks.
 20. The device of claim 2, wherein rather than having the hooks and vertical support run through the center of the device, the first pass through hole is moved to the outer edge of the shoulder; and another, second set of pass through holes is added to the opposing other outer edge of the shoulders; each set of pass through holes has a corresponding vertical support and top and bottom hooks.
 21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a fan hung from each of the bottom hooks.
 22. The device of claim 20, one or more fans; each fan is comprised of female threads and is connected to one or more of the second, opposing ends of the vertical supports with a male thread of corresponding size. 